The Gary Common Council Planning and Development Committee heard a presentation on a special-use request for 2601 East Fifteenth Avenue to allow light manufacturing related to auto body mounting, upfitting and repair. Representatives said the facility would perform body mounts and repairs for commercial vehicle chassis and operate as a regional service hub.

Benjamin Aliyah, petitioner and representative for Wabash, described the proposed work and said the facility would combine mounting and repair activities with a small machine and fabrication shop. "We would probably do in the neighborhood of about 500 body mounts a year," Aliyah said. He added the site would serve a roughly 100-mile radius and would not sell directly to the public but would work through OEM dealers and large accounts.

Aliyah said the operation is a partnership between Wabash and PACE. "They are diesel mechanics. We are not. And PACE also has the lead on operational, operations at the site," Aliyah said, describing PACE's role in day-to-day management. He said Wabash would fund the site and PACE would manage operations, and that the project would include training and regional hiring. When asked about staffing, Aliyah said initial employment would likely be about 16 to 20 people with potential to grow to 35 or 40.

The committee discussed regulatory steps and site improvements. Attorney Molina said the property is zoned M12 and that the petitioner applied for a special use; Molina noted that the applicants would later return seeking a governmental variance for fencing and additional improvements. Aliyah confirmed the facility will pursue required certifications and paperwork, including Department of Transportation compliance for mounted bodies.

Council members asked about equipment and storage; Aliyah said the site would use forklifts and an electric tugger cart to move mounted boxes and would stock parts for regional distribution in addition to mounting complete units. Aliyah described partnerships with OEM dealers and national accounts such as Penske and Ryder.

No final action was taken; the petitioner is proceeding through the plan commission and expects to return to the committee for a variance request and additional permitting as needed.